Chapter 117: Those Left Behind Suffer More Than Those Who Died
"...What?"
Uchiha Izumi's face turned pale. She felt her whole body go limp and collapsed to the ground.
Konoha's Uchiha clan... has been destroyed?
"How... how is that possible? Did the Uchiha clan really... No! Impossible!"
Although she had long suspected it, from the bottom of her heart, she was unwilling to believe it.
That's the Uchiha!
The powerful Uchiha clan!
How could they be completely wiped out within Konoha!?
Right! Impossible!!
"You must be lying to me!"
Uchiha Izumi forcefully suppressed the fear in her heart, abruptly looking up at Menma.
She grit her teeth and said resentfully: "Who exactly are you? What is your purpose in deceiving me with such an absurd lie?!"
As her voice fell, scarlet three-tomoe Sharingan appeared in her eyes.
However, facing Uchiha Izumi's questioning, Menma merely glanced at her indifferently.
"Whether you believe it or not is up to you. Besides, you don't even have the value for me to deceive."
Menma sat on the bed opposite her, saying calmly: "Although I value your identity and potential, you can't even fully utilize the power of your three-tomoe Sharingan now. You're no different from that idiot Uchiha Shin."
He certainly could modify the truth of the Uchiha massacre, fabricating even crueler lies to deceive Uchiha Izumi.
But there was absolutely no need for that.
The real truth was already cruel enough, wasn't it?
"Heh, seems you still refuse to accept the facts, hmm?"
Looking at Uchiha Izumi, hair disheveled, looking utterly wretched, Menma couldn't help but chuckle lightly: "You're right. If the Uchiha clan was always under Konoha's protection, then no one could easily destroy the Uchiha."
"But you overlooked one point."
The moment their eyes met,
Uchiha Izumi, through the eyeholes of the three-eyed cat-face mask, saw the amusement in those deep blue eyes.
I... overlooked one point?
For a moment, Izumi froze on the spot, stunned.
"Although you didn't directly participate in the Uchiha clan's coup, as a clansman who has awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan, you must have some understanding of it, right?"
After all, the tense relationship between Konoha and the Uchiha clan was something any normal person could see.
"You mean..."
Uchiha Izumi's face changed drastically upon hearing this, her expression incredulous: "Could it be that the ones who exterminated the Uchiha clan... were precisely the Konoha higher-ups?!"
That mysterious person wearing a yellow mask... could he be the executioner found by the Konoha higher-ups?!
That's right.
This way, it all makes sense.
But... how could she possibly accept such a truth?!!
"My clansmen... and Mother..."
Thinking of a certain terrifyingly desperate possibility, Uchiha Izumi's eyes couldn't help but tremble lightly.
Immediately, a hazy mist welled up.
Drip~ Drip~
Tears flowed from her eyes, cold teardrops slowly dripping onto the ground.
This helpless appearance truly made one's heart ache with pity.
Ultimately, not everyone was as heartless as Uchiha Itachi.
Seeing this, the smile on Menma's face also faltered somewhat. He scratched his head, somewhat troubled.
"Ah~ How troublesome."
He really didn't like seeing people cry.
Whether men or women, it was all the same.
But despite this, Menma still didn't speak to comfort her.
If he remembered correctly,
Uchiha Izumi seemed to hold some admiration for Uchiha Itachi, right?
As for whether true romantic feelings had developed, that was still a matter to be confirmed.
However, when facing Uchiha Obito, facing that threat of death, she still naively hoped Uchiha Itachi would come to save her...
"Thinking about it now, it really is laughable."
Looking at Uchiha Izumi, head lowered and weeping, Menma's expression gradually became emotionless, completely retracting his pity.
Immediately, he stared intently at Uchiha Izumi with scrutinizing eyes.
"Looks like you've already understood some of the truth."
Looking at the still disbelieving Uchiha Izumi, Menma said indifferently: "Unfortunately, you are still missing one opportunity."
Uchiha Izumi froze upon hearing this, then slowly raised her head.
Those tear-filled dark eyes happened to meet Menma's.
"You... your eyes..."
Uchiha Izumi's pupils dilated, a look of disbelief flashing in her eyes.
But the next second,
Scarlet tomoe reflected in her eyes, then gradually enlarged, spinning...
Everything before her also twisted and changed with it.
Thump!!
Under Menma's scarlet gaze, Izumi's figure slowly collapsed.
"Then let me see if the resentment and anger hidden in your heart can capture my attention."
As her consciousness completely sank into slumber, a playful voice entered Uchiha Izumi's ears.
"I hope you can endure it, and then break it."
.....
Night gradually fell. Soft, cotton-like clouds embraced the full moon as it slowly rose.
A gentle ray of moonlight shone through the window into a hospital room in Konoha, the pale white light making the room appear even more tranquil and serene.
Simultaneously, it also faintly illuminated the scene inside.
Naruto sat with his arms crossed on a chair beside the hospital bed, leaning against the wall, fast asleep with his eyes closed.
He had accompanied Sasuke in the hospital room for an entire day, never once rushing to wake the unconscious Sasuke.
The doctor said Sasuke's brain nerves were somewhat damaged, and he would need at least a day to wake up.
Since that's the case, then just wait obediently for a day.
Healthy, stable sleep is a necessary factor for ensuring optimal physical condition.
The hospital room was peaceful, only the sound of light, steady breathing could be heard.
But just then.
Swish!
Sasuke, originally lying quietly on the hospital bed with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them.
For some reason, his recovery speed was much faster than the doctor predicted.
Sasuke glanced expressionlessly at Naruto beside him, a flicker of emotion in his eyes.
He opened his dry mouth, seeming to want to say something.
But after hesitating for a moment,
He finally, without a word, pulled out the IV needle from his arm.
Lightly and carefully, he lifted the white blanket, seeming to want to leave without disturbing Naruto.
But just as he got off the bed in his hospital gown,
Tap!
"Where do you think you're going?"
Hearing the calm voice beside him, Sasuke's body couldn't help but stiffen.
But only for an instant.
Snapping back, Sasuke let out a light breath, saying coolly: "None of your business. Don't be nosy."
"You just sit there and pretend you saw nothing."
As soon as these words were spoken, Naruto beside him slowly opened his eyes.
"Looks like... you've changed somewhat."
Looking at Sasuke's indifferent expression, a trace of confusion flashed in Naruto's eyes.
Very strange.
How can a person change so much?
In Naruto's impression, Sasuke was a very kind little tsundere.
He might talk tough but have a soft heart, but he would absolutely never say such hurtful things to a friend.
What's more, the relationship between the two of them wasn't just simple friendship.
Their interactions over these few years had long since forged a relationship of both teacher and friend.
Although Sasuke had always been unyielding when facing Naruto, Naruto's dominant presence should have unknowingly been engraved in Sasuke's heart.
Even after experiencing the drastic change of his parents' death, how could years of ingrained thinking change in an instant?
Naruto's eyes flickered slightly as he said expressionlessly: "So, I'm very curious. What exactly happened last night?"
"Besides your parents, there's also your older brother..."
But before Naruto could finish,
"Don't mention that man!!"
Sasuke, originally expressionless, suddenly became extremely agitated upon hearing Naruto's words.
Like a powder keg ignited by a spark, he exploded instantly.
And as his voice fell,
Crackle!
Lightning crackled around Sasuke's body, and then his figure instantly vanished from the hospital bed.
Sasuke's expression was exceptionally ferocious, his eyes abnormally fierce, as he rushed straight towards Naruto with violent momentum.
"Looks like your injuries haven't healed yet."
Looking at Sasuke, who was like a completely different person from usual, Naruto couldn't help frowning: "What gave you the courage to try and kill me?"
"And, using the lightning-attribute cell activation method I taught you, no less."
BOOM!!
Naruto erupted with a vast torrent of air, directly sending the attacking Sasuke flying backwards.
Immediately, his figure moved, grabbing Sasuke's right arm and twisting it behind him, pinning him firmly against the wall.
But faced with being restrained, Sasuke's eyes turned scarlet, four sinister tomoe gradually appearing. (Note: Text says four, which is unusual for basic Sharingan. Could be an error or specific to this fic).
Then a crisp sound was heard.
Creak!
Sasuke grit his teeth, his expression fierce as he directly dislocated his own arm.
Then, forcibly twisting his body, he turned and kicked Naruto back.
"Huh? You actually awakened the Sharingan?"
Naruto propped himself up with one hand, then landed steadily.
However, looking at Sasuke's two-tomoe Sharingan, he couldn't help but show a surprised expression.
Since he awakened the Sharingan, it means Sasuke most likely witnessed his parents being killed with his own eyes.
But...
Two-tomoe Sharingan?
Isn't this... a bit too weak?
However, Sasuke clearly didn't know Naruto's inner thoughts.
"That man killed Mom and Dad! He destroyed the Uchiha clan! I will use these eyes to kill him! I will avenge everyone!!"
Hearing Naruto's "astonishment", hatred appeared in Sasuke's eyes as he said through gritted teeth: "And before that, I will use these eyes to defeat you!!"
With that, a murderous glint flashed in his scarlet Sharingan.
Bang bang bang!
Sasuke, looking crazed, continuously threw punches and kicks at Naruto.
Naruto, however, merely defended passively with an expressionless face, simultaneously gauging Sasuke's strength after awakening the Sharingan.
He originally thought Sasuke would have improved after awakening the Sharingan.
But...
Weak!
Too weak!
So weak that Naruto felt a bit uninterested.
"Is it because Sasuke has lost his reason that he can't fully unleash the true power of the two-tomoe Sharingan?"
However, the powerful insight granted by the Sharingan did indeed allow Sasuke to anticipate his movements.
It could be said, the improvement to his strength was better than nothing.
"Hahahaha! These eyes are so strong! So strong!"
Seeing the previously unbeatable Naruto now being suppressed by him, the corners of Sasuke's mouth nearly reached his ears, his face filled with delight.
His originally delicate features were somewhat twisted, broken.
Looking at Sasuke, who seemed to have lost his mind (石乐志 - shí lè zhì - slang for being crazy/stoned), Naruto couldn't help his lip twitching.
"No way, did this incident hit Sasuke this hard?"
Judging by what Sasuke said just now,
It seems his older brother Uchiha Itachi killed all their clansmen?
It seems even his parents were personally killed by his brother in front of him?
Then losing control of his emotions is actually quite normal.
But looking at him, Sasuke seems to be more than just having lost his reason.
It feels like his entire personality has changed drastically.
The shadow of the little tsundere from before is completely gone!
"What a pain."
Sensing someone seemed to have noticed the commotion and was heading this way, a trace of helplessness flashed in Naruto's eyes.
Never mind, better let this guy calm down first.
Sasuke was still continuously attacking Naruto with punches and kicks, a wanton smile on his face.
His usual calmness and rationality seemed to have vanished; he completely failed to notice the current situation.
"See that? See that!!"
He continuously yelled: "This is the power of the Uchiha! With such power, I can definitely..."
He wanted to say more.
But the next second,
Naruto, who was being suppressed by Sasuke, his figure suddenly became blurry.
"What's going on? So fast!"
Sasuke's two-tomoe Sharingan shifted to the side; his powerful dynamic vision had already seen Naruto's movement.
But when he wanted to block, he found his body completely couldn't keep up with his mind.
"Move! Move for me!"
Looking at the fist drawing nearer and nearer, Sasuke couldn't help but roar in his heart.
Unfortunately, he couldn't do it.
BOOM!!
Sasuke's face was directly smashed sideways by this punch, his face vaguely showing shock and fear.
"How... is that possible..."
Before he could react,
Naruto slightly lowered his center of gravity, his azure blue eyes fixed on Sasuke's abdomen.
Then, his fist clenched tightly.
Thud!
"Pfft!!"
This punch smashed straight into Sasuke's abdomen, emitting a dull thud.
Sasuke was nearly made to vomit on the spot by this punch, his body simultaneously going limp and collapsing directly to the ground.
"I think... you need to calm down."
Naruto, seeing this, took a stride forward and sat on Sasuke's body, saying calmly.
"I am calm! I..."
Thump!
Before Sasuke could finish, Naruto punched him in the face again.
Simultaneously, his voice also became cold.
"I said, you need to calm down."
"I..."
Sasuke's originally delicate face instantly became bruised and swollen. He looked unwilling, still wanting to say something.
But the next second, a torrential rain of fists fell upon his face.
Thump! Thump thump thump thump!
Naruto rapidly swung his fists in a short period, the shadows of his moving fists blurring into one.
Click!
Suddenly, the hospital room door was violently pushed open.
Kakashi, wearing a mask, followed by several ANBU, rushed directly into the room.
But looking at the scene in the room, Kakashi and the others froze on the spot.
They had just sensed chakra fluctuations and thought Uchiha Itachi or that masked man had attacked again.
But opening the door,
"You guys..."
Kakashi snapped back, the corner of his eye twitching: "Are you two... having a brawl?"
No, it should be said, unilateral assault and abuse, right?
Naruto, seeing the group barge in, finally stopped his attack.
At this moment, Sasuke was bruised and swollen, lying on the ground unable to move, his breathing even somewhat weak.
However, Naruto's face showed absolutely no trace of guilt.
He stood up from Sasuke's body, looked at Sasuke's bruised face, and asked gently: "Now, have you calmed down?"
The tomoe and scarlet in Sasuke's eyes gradually faded. He nodded somewhat dazedly.
"Mm, much calmer."
Indeed, I still can't beat this guy.
If I can't even beat this guy, how could I possibly kill that man?
But, but...
It really hurts so much, it really is so unbearable!!
Even after awakening the Sharingan, he still can't do anything, can't protect anything.
For a moment, all sorts of complex emotions welled up in his heart.
Powerlessness, fear, cowardice, resentment...
Sasuke's dark eyes slowly filled with a layer of mist, everything before him becoming hazy and blurred.
Huff~ Haa~
He did his utmost to suppress his emotions, trying hard to tilt his neck up, not wanting tears to flow from his moist eye sockets.
But the next second,
A hand directly grabbed his arm, pulling him up from the ground.
Then, Sasuke felt himself enter a warm embrace.
"Cry. You'll feel much better after crying it out."
Naruto wrapped his arms around Sasuke's back, patted his shoulder, and said gently.
Sasuke heard this, suddenly feeling a daze.
The walls he had just built up in his heart were instantly breached.
All the emotions trapped within the walls, as if finding an outlet, surged out uncontrollably.
"Ngh!"
Sasuke stubbornly bit his lip, his eyes also turning red.
Until the cold sensation slowly slid down his cheeks, the emotions in his heart finally became completely irrepressible.
"Waaaaahhhhh!!"
Kakashi and the others, originally standing at the hospital room door, couldn't help but look at each other upon seeing this.
Immediately, with tacit understanding, they withdrew outside the door together.
Click~
As the door closed, the crying inside the room grew louder.
Like a wandering ghost, continuously drifting.
Outside the hospital room, Kakashi's expression became even more complex.
Sometimes,
Those left behind... might suffer more than those who died...
(End of Chapter)
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